Visual Or Audible Indicators Of Sensed Motion In A Hockey Puck

ABSTRACT

A hockey puck including a microprocessor operable to execute a processor readable code to convert sensor data generated by at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values, compare the hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values, and actuate one or more light emitters or sound generators upon hockey puck movement values satisfying the hockey puck movement threshold values.

This United States Patent Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/473,034, filed Sep. 13, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/081,922, filed Sep. 23, 2020, each hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a computer implemented system which can be distributed on one or more servers operably coupled to one or more computing devices or one or more hockey pucks by one or more of a public network, a cellular-based wireless network(s) or a local network to support a processor readable code accessible by browser based on-line processing or downloadable by one or more computing devices which coordinates communication between one or more computing devices and one or more hockey pucks to establish on-line or off-line wired or wireless control over the functionalities of one or more hockey pucks by user indications in a graphical user interface depicted on the display surface of a computing device. in particular embodiments, a hockey puck including a microprocessor operable to execute a processor readable code to convert sensor data generated by at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values; compare the hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values; and actuate one or more light emitters or sound generators upon hockey puck movement values satisfying the hockey puck movement threshold values.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A broad object of particular embodiments can be to provide computer implemented hockey puck control system, comprising a computing device including a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code. The processor readable code executable to display a graphical user interface on a display surface of a computing device configured to receive user indications to actuate an illumination core of a hockey puck, wherein the illumination core includes one or more of: a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicatively couple to the computing device; at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in hockey puck movement; one or more light emitters actuatable to illuminate the illumination core; and a microprocessor operable to execute the processor readable code to: convert the sensor data generated by the at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values correlated to the hockey puck movement; compare the hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values; and actuate one or more light emitters or one or more sound emitters upon satisfying one or more of the hockey puck movement threshold values.

Another broad object of particular embodiments can be to provide a hockey puck including an illumination core containing: a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicatively couple to a computing device; at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in one or more hockey puck movements; a processor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing processor readable code; one or more light emitters actuatable by execution of the processor readable code based on the change in the one or more movements of the hockey puck to illuminate the illumination core; and an overcoat substantially enveloping the illumination core having a plurality of apertures through which light can pass from the illumination core.

Another broad object of particular embodiments can be to provide a hockey puck including an illumination core having a processor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code executable to: collect acceleration data generated by an accelerometer contained in the illumination core over a time period; calculate acceleration magnitude based on the acceleration data over the time period; calculate an acceleration baseline based on the acceleration data over the time period; correlate the acceleration baseline with the acceleration magnitude over the time period; and detect a hockey puck shot, wherein a hockey puck shot start occurs when the acceleration magnitude exceeds the acceleration baseline, and wherein a hockey puck shot end occurs when the acceleration magnitude subsequently falls below the acceleration baseline.

Another broad object of particular embodiments can be to provide a computing device including a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code, the processor readable code executable to display a graphical user interface on a display surface of the computing device configured to receive user indications to control the functionalities of a hockey puck including: a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicatively couple to the computing device; at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in hockey puck movement; a microprocessor operable to execute the processor readable code to: record the sensor data that varies based on change in hockey puck movement; convert the sensor data generated by the at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values correlated to the one or more of hockey puck movements; save hockey puck movement values as a recorded session of a hockey move; superimpose a plurality of recorded sessions of the hockey move; and calculate average hockey puck movement values correlated to hockey puck movement in the plurality of recorded sessions of the hockey move as hockey puck movement pattern.

Another broad object of particular embodiments can be to provide a computing device including a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code, the processor readable code executable to: display a graphical user interface on a display surface of the computing device and present a plurality of hockey moves; receive by user indications in the graphical user interface selection of one of the plurality of hockey moves; record sensor data that varies based on change in hockey puck movements during performance of the hockey move; convert the sensor data to hockey puck movement values correlated to the hockey puck movements; save the hockey puck movement values as a recorded session of the hockey move; compare the hockey puck movement values to a hockey puck movement pattern associated with the selected hockey move; actuate one or more sensorial perceivable indicia upon occurrence of the hockey puck movement values satisfying hockey puck movement threshold values associated with the hockey puck movement pattern associated with the selected hockey move.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative computer means, network means and computer-readable media which provides computer-executable instructions to implement an embodiment of and a method of using the system.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a particular embodiment of a hockey puck.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 5 is a first side view of the particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 6 is a second side view of the particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 7 is a first end view of the particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 8 is second end side view of the particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of an illumination core of the hockey puck.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of an overcoat configured to retain the illumination core of the hockey puck.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a translucent two-sided adhesive material having an adhesive material first side adhered to the illumination core and an adhesive material second side adhered to an overcoat inlay to form a flat face of the hockey puck.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of an overcoat inlay adherable to an adhesive material second side to secure the overcoat inlay to the illumination core of the hockey puck.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a USB cover configured cover the USB port disposed in the overcoat sidewall of the overcoat of the hockey puck as shown in the example of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 15 is a cross section 15-15 shown in FIG. 5 of a particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 16 is a cross section 16-16 shown in FIG. 5 of a particular embodiment of the hockey puck.

FIG. 17 is a graph including plots of raw and filtered acceleration magnitude values calculated for hockey puck movement during a hockey shot.

FIG. 18 is a graph including plots of filtered acceleration magnitude values and acceleration magnitude baseline values calculated for hockey puck movement during a hockey shot.

FIG. 19 is a graph including plots of filtered acceleration magnitude values and acceleration magnitude baseline values calculated for hockey puck movement during a hockey shot and indicating the features in the plots which delimit a shot start and delimit a shot end.

FIG. 20A illustrates a comparison between a plot of acceleration magnitude values and angular acceleration magnitude values calculated for five hockey puck shots.

FIG. 20B illustrates a graph including a plot of acceleration magnitude values superimposed with a plot of velocity magnitude values for a hockey shot.

FIG. 21A is a graph including plots of filtered acceleration magnitude values and acceleration magnitude baseline values calculated for hockey puck movement during a hockey 30 shot.

FIG. 21B is a graph including a plot of velocity magnitude calculated by integration of the acceleration magnitude values associated with the plot of filtered acceleration magnitude values show in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a graphical user interface displayed on the display surface of a computing device.

FIG. 23 is a block flow diagram of a particular method of using an embodiment of a hockey puck.

FIG. 24 is a block flow diagram of a particular method of using an embodiment of a hockey puck.

FIG. 25 is a block flow diagram of a particular method of using an embodiment of a hockey puck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The System. With primary reference to FIG. 1 , a computer implemented system (1) (also referred to as the “system (1)”) can be distributed on one or more servers (2) operably coupled to 20 one or more computing devices (3) by a public network (4), such as the Internet (5), a cellular-based wireless network(s) (6), or a local network (7) (individually or collectively the “network”). Now, with general reference to FIGS. 1 through 20 , embodiments of the invention relate to a computing device (3) including a non-transitory computer readable medium (8) containing a processor readable code (9) executable to display a graphical user interface (10) on a display surface (11) of the computing device (3) to receive user indications (12) to activate one or more functions of an illumination core (13) of a hockey puck (14). The illumination core (13) of the hockey puck (14) can be configured to sense hockey puck movement (15) (in one or more axis as shown the example of FIG. 2 ) and actuate one or more light emitters (16) or one or more sound generators (17) disposed within the illumination core (13) based on correlation of the hockey puck movement (15) with user configurable hockey puck movement threshold values (18) held in the non-transitory computer readable medium (8) of the one or more servers (2), the computing device (3), or the hockey puck (14). The light (19) emitted from the one or more light emitters (16) or the sound (20) emitted from one or more sound generators (17) within the illumination core (13) can pass through one or more apertures (21) in an overcoat (22) substantially enveloping the illumination core (13) to provide sensorial perceivable indicia (23) of the correlation between the hockey puck movement (15) and the hockey puck movement threshold values (18) held in the non-transitory computer readable medium (8).

While the term “computing device” is utilized in association with certain embodiments, this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to those particular embodiments, rather certain embodiments may generically include a first computing device (3 a), a second computing device (3 b) or n computing devices (3 n) operably coupled or communicating as above described.

While FIG. 1 depicts illustrative computer hardware, network elements, and non-transitory computer readable medium (8) can contain a processor readable code (9) which can be utilized to practice embodiments of the system (1), it is not intended that embodiments of the invention be practiced in only wide area computing environments or only in local area computing environments, but rather the invention can be practiced in distributed computing environments where functions or tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through the network (4). In a distributed computing environment, the processor readable code (9) may be located in both local memory storage device(s) or in a remote memory storage device(s) or device elements.

Also, while a preferred embodiment of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions of a processor readable code (9) which may utilize routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, or the like, to perform particular functions or tasks or implement particular abstract data types being executed by the computer hardware and network elements, it is not intended that any embodiments of the invention be limited to a particular set of computer hardware, network elements or computer-executable instructions or protocols.

Accordingly, with primary reference to FIG. 1 , one or more computing devices (3) or the hockey puck (14) can be configured to connect with one or more server computers (2) through a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet (5), or one or more cellular-based networks (6), or one or more local area networks (7) (“LAN”) to transfer system content (24), including computer data processed or stored by a server (2), a computing device (3), or a hockey puck (14) including, but not necessarily limited to radio transmissions, sensor data, text, video, video clips, audio, audio clips, application programs, or other types of data. The one or more computing devices (3) can as to particular embodiments take the form of limited-capability computers designed specifically for navigation on the World Wide Web of the Internet (5). Alternatively, the computing devices (3), can be hand-held devices such as smart phones, slate or pad computers, personal digital assistants or camera/cell phones, or multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, or the like.

Generally, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 25 , the invention relates to embodiments of a system (1), methods of making the system (1) and methods of using the system (1) including one or more of: a computing device (3) having a non-transitory computer readable medium (8) containing a processor readable code (9) executable to display a graphical user interface (10) on a display surface (11) of the computing device (3) to receive user indications (12) to activate an illumination core (13) of a hockey puck (14). The illumination core (13) can include a microprocessor (25), a radio frequency transceiver (26) configured to communicatively couple to the computing device (3), an inertial measurement unit (27) including at least one sensor (28)(shown as examples 28 a, 28 b, 28 c) which generates sensor data (29) that varies based on change in hockey puck movement (15), and one or more light emitters (16) actuatable to illuminate the illumination core (13) or one or more sound generators (17) to emit sound (20) from the illumination core (13).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 9 through 10 and 15 through 16 , in particular embodiments, the microprocessor (25), the radio frequency transceiver (26), the at least one sensor (28), the one or more light emitters (16), the power source (41) whether carried in whole or in part by the PCB (30) can be encapsulated in an illumination core elastomer (45). The illumination core (13) can be sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow emitted light (19) to pass through the elastomer as viewable indicia (23) to the human eye. The illumination core elastomer (45) can have Shore hardness in the range of about 70A to about 100A. As an illustrative example, the illumination core elastomer (45) can be a thermoplastic elastomer. Illustrative examples of a thermoplastic elastomer suitable for use in embodiments of the invention can be: a styrenic block copolymer, thermoplastic polyolefin el astomer, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyamides, or combinations thereof; however, this illustrative example is not intended to preclude other types of encapsulating polymers having sufficient transparency or translucency to allow emitted light (19) to be viewed by the human eye. The illumination core elastomer (45) encapsulating the PCB (30) or other components of the illumination core (13) can be fabricated, formed or molded to approximate the external dimensions of a hockey puck (14).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 2 through 14 , embodiments can, but need not necessarily, include an overcoat (22). In particular embodiments the overcoat (22) can be one piece and substantially envelope the illumination core (13). In regard these embodiments, the overcoat (22) can comprise an elastomer layer (46) having an overcoat external surface (47) configured to provide a circular first flat face (48) joined by an annular side wall (50) opposite a circular second flat face (49). The overcoat (22) can be configured as a hockey puck (14) including substantially circular or circular first and second flat faces (48, 49) having diameter of about three inches disposed in substantially opposite parallel relation joined by an annular side wall (50) having a height of about one inch thick. The overcoat (22) can have an overcoat internal surface (51) defining an interior space (52) configured to receive the illumination core (13). In particular embodiments, the overcoat (22) can comprise an elastomer layer (46) over-molded to the illumination core (13). In particular embodiments, the overcoat (22) can comprise an elastomer layer (46) configured to releasably receive the illumination core (13) in the interior space (52).

The elastomer layer (46) can have an overcoat thickness (54) between the overcoat external surface (47) and the overcoat internal surface (51) of about three millimeters to about 20 millimeters. The overcoat (22) can be made from a vulcanized rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer, including as illustrative examples: a styrenic block copolymer, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyamides, or combinations thereof; however, this illustrative example is not intended to preclude other types of overcoat elastomers. The elastomer layer (46) comprising the overcoat (22) can be black in color; however, particular embodiments can be any desired color. The overcoat (22) can, but need not necessarily, include one or a plurality of apertures (21) through which light (19) or sound (20) can pass from the enveloped illumination core (13). While the Figures show a plurality of apertures (21) configured as radially extending slots in both the first flat face (48) and the second flat face (49) of the overcoat (22); this is not intended to preclude embodiments having one or more apertures (21) in only the first flat face (48) or in only the second flat face (49). The one or more apertures (21) can define any configuration of aperture open area (21 a) sufficiently limited to retain the illumination core (13) within the hollow interior space (52) during a hockey stick handling move (90) (also referred to as a “hockey move”).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 2 through 14 , and with particular reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 , in particular embodiments, the overcoat (22) can comprise an annular member (22 a) having an annular sidewall (50 a) extending between a pair of annular retainer rings (50 b, 50 c) each configured as an inwardly directed annular lip (50 d, 50 e) terminating in retainer ring periphery (50 f, 50 g) defining an overcoat open area (50 h, 50 i). The overcoat open areas (50 h, 50 i) can be substantially circular as shown in the example of FIG. 11 ; however, the retainer ring periphery (50 d, 50 e) could define an overcoat open area (50 h, 50 i) of any desired configuration. The annular member inner surface (51) can be configured to releasably receive the illumination core (13), or receive the illumination core in fixed spatial relation between the pair of retainer rings (50 b, 50 c). In particular embodiments, the annular member (22 a) can be an over-mold of the illumination core (13).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 2 through 14 , and with particular reference to FIGS. 9 and 13 , in particular embodiments, the circular first flat face (48) and the circular second flat face (49) can be configured as respective overcoat inlays (48 a, 49 a) produced discrete from the annular member (22 a). Each of the overcoat inlays (48 a, 49 a) can have a respective overcoat inlay peripheral margin (48 b, 49 b) configured to mate with or have common boundary with a corresponding retainer ring periphery (50 f, 50 g) when coupled to the illumination core (3). The use of discrete overcoat inlays (48 a, 49 a) affords the advantage of having a plurality overcoat inlays (48 a, 48 b) each having different configurations of the apertures (21) that can be selected for placement on any of the illumination cores (3). As an illustrative example, if the overcoat inlays (48 a, 49 a) were produced from a substantially transparent or translucent sheet material, each overcoat inlay (48 a, 49 a) could be printed, laser printed, or formed with different graphics, marks or laser cut with different patterns of apertures (21), thereby allowing production of a plurality of hockey pucks (14) each having the same or different circular first flat face (48) or circular second flat face (49). In addition, each of the overcoat inlays (48 a, 48 b) can, but need not necessarily, be configured to peel off and be replaced, to address wear.

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 2 through 14 , and with particular reference to FIGS. 9 and 12 , in particular embodiments, a first adhesive layer (48 c) or a second adhesive layer (49 c) can be correspondingly disposed between the illumination core first face (13 a) or the illumination core second face (13 b) and a first overcoat inlay (48 a) or said second overcoat overlay (48 b). In particular embodiments, the first adhesive layer (48 c) can be a first translucent two-sided adhesive material (48 d) and the second adhesive layer (49 c) can be second translucent two-side adhesive material (49 d) can be correspondingly adhered to the illumination core first face and the illumination core second face (13 a, 13 b) within the respective overcoat open area (50 h, 50 i). The term “translucent” means to allow light to pass through the first adhesive layer (48 c) or the second adhesive layer (49 c) or the first translucent two-side adhesive material (48 d) or the second translucent material (49 d). A first overcoat inlay or a second overcoat inlay (48 a, 49 a) can by pressing engagement be correspondingly adhered to the first and second translucent two-side adhesive materials (48 d, 49 d).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 2 through 14 , and with particular reference to FIGS. 9 and 14 , in particular embodiments, the annular sidewall (50 a) can further define a USB access port (44 a) to allow access to the to allow access to the USB (44) of the illumination core (13). A USB access port cover (44 b) can be configured to releasably mate with the USB access port (44 a) to cover the USB (44).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 9 and 15 through 16 , in particular embodiments, the microprocessor (25), the radio frequency transceiver (26), the inertial measurement unit (27) including at least one sensor (28), and the one or more light emitters (16) can be, but need not necessarily be, mounted on, or comprise a printed circuit board (“PCB”) (30). The microprocessor (25) can be a conventional microcontroller unit or can be part of a system on a chip which can afford in a one chip, a processor (31), the non-transitory computer readable medium (8) in the form of random access memory and flash memory, and can further include a multiprotocol radio architecture to provide a radio frequency transceiver (26) which can be actuated to afford wireless communication or pairing of the microprocessor (25) with one or a plurality of computing devices (3) over a radio frequency band (32) to carry a signal (33) over all or a part of a communication path (34) between the illumination core (13) of the hockey puck (14) and the computing device (3) or the server (2), or combinations thereof. The radio frequency band (32) can include as illustrative examples: BLUETOOTH® (35) which operates at frequencies of about 2402 MHz to about 2480 MHz or about 2400 MHz to about 2483.5 MHz, or WI-FI® (36) which operates at about 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz; however, these illustrative examples are not intended to preclude embodiments operating at other frequencies to afford wireless communication between the illumination core (13) of the hockey puck (14) and the computing device (3). In other particular embodiments, the illumination core (13) can, but need not necessarily include a tone generator (37) which generates tones (38) also referred to as an “audio beacon” that provides a signal (33) over the communication path (34) between the illumination core (13) of the hockey puck (14) and a computing device (3).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 9 and 15 through 16 , particular embodiments of the inertial measurement unit (27) can include at least one sensor (28) selected from the group comprising or consisting of: an accelerometer (28 a), a gyroscope (28 b), and a magnetometer (28 c), and combinations thereof. The accelerometer (28 a), can be a micro-electromechanical system accelerator configured as a single axis, a dual axis or a tri-axis accelerometer (28 a) to generate one or more data streams that vary based on the acceleration forces (mV/g) acting on the illumination core (13) in order to allow measurement of a rate in change of the velocity of the illumination core (13) or velocity of the illumination core (13), and combinations thereof, to allow determination of the position in space of the illumination core (13) and the corresponding hockey puck movement (15) in one or more three axes (X axis, Y axis, Z axis).

The gyroscope (28 b) can be configured as a single axis, a dual axis or a tri-axis gyroscope (28 b) to generate one or more data streams that vary based on the angular acceleration forces (mV/deg/s) acting on the illumination core (13) to allow measurement of one or more of: rotation of the illumination core (13) or inclination of the illumination core (13), or combinations thereof, to allow determination of the rate of rotation or inclination of the illumination core (13) and the corresponding hockey puck (14) around one or more of three axis (X axis, Y axis, Z axis). The main difference between the accelerometer (28 a) and the gyroscope (28 b) can be that the gyroscope (28 b) can sense rotation about an axis, whereas the accelerometer (28 a) cannot.

The magnetometer (28 c) can be configured as a single axis, a dual axis or a tri-axis magnetometer (28 c) to generate one or more data streams that vary based on the Earth's magnetic field forces (T) acting on the illumination core (13) to allow measurement of the magnetic field in one or more of three axis (X axis, Y axis, Z axis) to determine orientation of the illumination core (13) and corresponding orientation of the hockey puck (14) by detection of the direction of the Earth's magnetic field. As one illustrative example, a magnetometer (28 c) suitable for use with embodiments of the invention can be a Digital Output triaxial magnetometer manufactured by ST Microelectronics having part number LIS2MDL.

The above description of the microprocessor (25), the accelerometer (28 a), the gyroscope (28 b) and the magnetometer (28 c) are not intended to preclude the use of only one of these micro-electromechanical systems or two or more of these micro-electromechanical systems in various combinations, or as a combination with one more of: a processor (31), a non-transitory computer readable medium (8), an accelerometer (28 a), a gyroscope (28 b) and a magnetometer (28 c) as one part, or the use of other similar or equivalent parts other than the above illustrative examples.

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 9 and 15 through 16 , embodiments can include one or more light emitters (16) operable to emit light (19) in a pre-determined segment, or user configured segment, of the electromagnetic spectrum, or at one or more pre-determined or user configured wavelength frequencies or wavelength amplitudes to illuminate the illumination core (13). Typically, the segment of the electromagnetic spectrum will occur in the visible spectrum in the range of about 380 nanometers to about 750 nanometers; however, this does not preclude embodiments in which the pre-determined or user configured wavelength frequencies occur outside of the visible spectrum such as near ultraviolet, ultraviolet, near infrared, and infrared, or combinations of wavelength frequencies inside and outside of the visible spectrum. The emitted light (19) can be used to illuminate the illumination core (13) as visible indicia (23) to the human eye. Color attributes of the emitted light (19) can be adjusted, the color attributes including any primary color (red, green, or blue), any combination of two primary colors, or adjustment to the primary colors, or combinations of primary colors, including adjustment of brightness, saturation, hue, tint, tone, or shade, and combinations thereof.

The one or more light emitters (16) can be a solid-state light emitting element formed from organic or inorganic semiconductor materials. As illustrative examples, the light emitter (16) can be a light emitting diode (“LED”) including any type of semiconductor diode devices that are capable of receiving an electrical signal and producing a responsive output of electromagnetic energy. Thus, the term “LED” should be understood to include light emitting diodes of all types, light emitting polymers, organic diodes, and the like. The illustrative example of the use of LED light emitters (16) is not intended to preclude use of other types of light emitters (16) adapted for, capable of, or configured to emit light (19) within the predetermined or user configured segment of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 9 and 15 through 16 , the one or more light emitters (16) can, but need not necessarily, be mounted on the PCB (30). In the illustrative example, three light emitters (16 a, 16 b, 16 c) can be mounted to the PCB first side (30 a) and three light emitters (16 e, 16 f, 16 g) can mounted to the PCB second side (30 b); however, the illustrative example is not intended to preclude the use of a greater or lesser number of light emitters (16) or preclude other locations of the one or more light emitters (16) within the illumination core (13). The microprocessor (25) can activate a light emitter control circuit (39) electrically coupled to the one or more light emitters (16) to adjust the color attributes of the emitted light (19). The control circuit (39) can include a power source circuit (40) coupled to a power source (41). The control circuit (39) also includes an appropriate number of light emitter driver circuits (42) for controlling the power applied to each of the one or more light emitters (16), and thus the wavelength amplitude for each different wavelength frequency. In the example of LED light emitters (16), the amount of power supplied to each of a plurality of light emitter driver circuits (42) controls of the intensity of emission of the corresponding LED light emitters (16) to establish the color attributes of the emitted light (19) from each LED light emitter (16). In the illustrative example, the wavelength frequencies of the emitted light (19) can comprise the emitted light (19) from one or more LED light emitters (16). One or more LED light emitters (16) can emit light (19) of a first color, and one or more LED light emitters (16) can emit light (19) of a second color, wherein the second color is different from the first color. Similarly, one or more LED light emitters (16) can emit light (19) of a third color, a fourth color. . . _(n) colors. To achieve combinations of wavelength frequencies that cover virtually the entire visible spectrum. For example, arbitrary pairs of the LED light emitters (16) might emit three different colors of light (R, G, B) as primary colors and a fourth color chosen to provide an increased variability of the color attributes of the light emitted from the illumination core (13). One or more light emitters (16 d), which emit white light (W), may also be included. Thus, the illumination core (13) can generate emitted light (19) within the predetermined or user configured segment of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 9 and 15 through 16 , embodiments can further include one or more sound generators (17) which can comprise an integrated circuit to produce audio signals. As one illustrative example, pulse code modulation sampling such as Intel® high-definition audio used in mobile phones or sound cards. In particular embodiments, the sound generator (17) can comprise a piezoelectric sound generator including a ceramic piezoelectric material affixed to a metal diaphragm. The ceramic piezoelectric material can be excited with an alternating voltage which increases the size of the ceramic piezoelectric material causing the diaphragm to vibrate and generate audible sound (20).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 10 , the microprocessor (25) can also govern power management to measure and allocate voltages of a power source (41). In particular embodiments, the power source can be a battery (41 a). As one illustrative example, the battery (41 a) can be a rechargeable prismatic lithium-ion polymer battery 3.7 V 900 mA; however, this example is not intended to prelude the use of other battery types such as: alkaline batteries, or other form factors including as examples: cylindrical cells, or coin cells. A battery charging circuit (43) can be coupled to the battery (41 a). The charging circuit (43) can configured as wired charging circuit using a universal serial bus (“USB”) (44) with a power adapter that plugs into an AC outlet and generates DC, or in particular embodiments, the charging circuit (43) can be configured as an inductive charging circuit which uses electromagnetic induction to transfer energy from an induction coil in a charging station to an induction coil in the charging circuit which in turn passes through a rectifier to convert to DC to charge the battery (41 a).

Now, referring to FIGS. 1, 12 through 13, 15A through 15B, and 16A through 16B, in particular embodiments, the microprocessor (25) can operate to execute the processor readable code (9) to convert the sensor data (29) generated by the at least one sensor (28) to hockey puck movement values (18) correlated to one or more hockey puck movements (15). In particular embodiments, the sensor data (29) can be transmitted to, converted by and/or correlated with one or more hockey puck movements (15) by the computing device (3) or allocated between the microprocessor (25) and the computing device (3), or only by the computing device (3) or the microprocessor (25).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 15 , the accelerometer (28 a) can generate one or more data streams that varies based on the acceleration forces (mV/g) acting on the illumination core (13). The processor readable code (9) can be executed to calculate acceleration magnitude values (55) attributable to the illumination core (13). An example of calculated acceleration magnitude values (55) attributable to the illumination core (13) is shown by the lighter plot line depicted in the graph shown in FIG. 12 . By operation of the processor readable code (9), the acceleration magnitude values (55) can be calculated as a rolling mean to smooth the plot line as shown by the darker plot line depicted in the graph shown in FIG. 12 and the lighter plot line depicted in the graph shown in FIG. 13 . By subsequent execution of the processor readable code (9), acceleration magnitude baseline values (56) can be calculated using a low pass filter such as an infinite impulse response filter, as follows:

y _(n) =ax+(1−a)y _(n−1)

-   -   wherein x is the filtered acceleration magnitude;     -   wherein y is the output; and     -   wherein a is a configurable parameter.

As shown in FIG. 17 , the acceleration magnitude baseline plot line (58) can be superimposed for comparison on the magnitude acceleration plot line (57).

Now, with primary reference to FIG. 18 , in particular embodiments, the calculated acceleration magnitude values (55) can be correlated with the acceleration magnitude baseline values (56) to determine occurrence of hockey puck movement (15), as an illustrative example, a hockey puck shot (15 a). Each region of the acceleration magnitude plot (57) occurring above the acceleration baseline plot (58) can be considered a potential hockey puck shot (15 a). The potential hockey puck shot start (59) occurs when the acceleration magnitude plot (57) upwardly crosses the acceleration baseline plot (58) (as shown in the example of FIG. 19 as “shot start”). The subsequent hockey puck shot end (60) occurs when the acceleration magnitude plot (57) downwardly crosses the acceleration baseline plot (58) to the next acceleration magnitude minimum (61) (as shown in the example of FIG. 19 as “shot end”).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B, in particular embodiments, the gyroscope (28 b) can generate one or more data streams that vary based on the angular acceleration forces (mV/deg/s) acting on the illumination core (13). The processor readable code (9) can be executed to calculate angular acceleration magnitude values (62) attributable to the illumination core (13). In the example of FIG. 20A, the upper plot provides an example of calculated acceleration magnitude values (55) attributable to the illumination core (13) from five hockey shots (15 a) and the lower plot provides an example of calculated angular acceleration magnitude values (62) for the same five hockey puck shots (15 a). FIG. 20 B superimposes the angular acceleration plot (63) of a hockey puck shot (15 a) over the acceleration plot (57) of the hockey puck shot (15 a).

Determination of a hockey puck shot (15 a) based solely on calculated acceleration magnitude values (55) correlated with acceleration baseline values (56) may result in false positives. This may occur with acceleration data streams generated by slower or weaker hockey puck shots (15 a) which may be difficult to distinguish from general hockey puck movement (15) of the hockey puck (14) due to general hockey stick handling. To cull out false positives due hockey stick handling or general hockey puck movement (15), the calculated angular acceleration magnitude values (62) can be compared to the acceleration magnitude values (55). The gyroscope (28 b) data stream can be validated in similar fashion to the accelerometer (28 a) data stream to verify that angular acceleration magnitude values (63) have upwardly crossed a first configurable angular acceleration threshold value (64) which correlates in time with hockey puck shot start (59) determined from the acceleration magnitude plot (57) upwardly crossing the acceleration baseline plot (58) and then remains above the angular acceleration threshold value (64) for a configurable time period. In particular comparisons, the angular acceleration magnitude values (62) can be correlated in time with a hockey puck shot end (60) determined from the acceleration magnitude plot (57) downwardly crossing the acceleration baseline plot (58) to the acceleration magnitude minimum (61). When correlating the gyroscope (28 b) data with the accelerometer (28 a) data the hockey puck shot start (59) can be readily distinguished from general stick handling and general puck movement (15) to avoid false positives.

Now, with primary reference to FIG. 21A and 21B, in particular embodiments, the region of the acceleration magnitude plot (57) determined to be hockey shot (15 a) based on acceleration magnitude values (55) or based on angular acceleration magnitude values (62), or the combination thereof (as shown in the example of FIG. 21A, can be integrated to obtain velocity magnitude values (65):

v=a _(f) −a _(i) /t=a/t

-   -   wherein v=velocity which is m/s (meter per second);     -   wherein a_(f)=final position of X;     -   wherein a_(i)=initial position of X;     -   wherein t=time taken by the object to move along the distance         (s); and     -   wherein a=change in position (final−initial) (m).

The velocity magnitude values (65) can be plotted over time to provide the velocity plot (53) as shown in the example of FIG. 21B.

In particular embodiments, the hockey puck shot (15 a) can be further validated by execution of the processor readable code (9) to compare the velocity magnitude values (65) during the time period of the hockey puck shot (15 a) to a user configured or pre-determined velocity magnitude threshold value (66). The hockey puck shot (15 a) can be further validated, if a velocity magnitude values (65) during the time period of the hockey shot (15 a) exceeds the velocity magnitude threshold value (66).

The above examples of a hockey puck shot (15 a) are not intended to limit embodiments of the invention to a single type of hockey puck shot (15 a) or hockey puck movement (15), but rather are illustrative of processing data for a hockey puck movement (15). Various hockey puck movements (15) can be distinguished including, but not limited to, a first touch move, a leading move, a passing move, a hit move, a flat stick tackle, and a hockey puck shot including different types of hockey puck shots (15 a) including as examples: hockey puck slap shot, hockey puck wrist shot, hockey puck snap shot, hockey puck backhand shot.

In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can be further executed to actuate one or more light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) upon exceeding one or more of the hockey puck movement threshold values (18) to provide visual indicia (23) confirming that the one or more hockey puck movement threshold values (18) has been satisfied by the hockey puck movement (15).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 , each of the one or more computing devices (3) can, but need not necessarily, include an Internet browser (67) (also referred to as a “browser”), as illustrative examples: Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER®, GOOGLE CHROME®, MOZILLA®, FIREFOX®, which functions to download and render computing device content (24) formatted in “hypertext markup language” (HTML). In this environment, the one or more servers (2) can contain the processor readable code (9) including instructions to implement the most significant portions of the graphical user interface (10) including a combination of text and symbols to represent options selectable by user indications (12) to execute the functions of the processor readable code (9). As to these embodiments, the one or more computing devices (3) can use the browser (67) to depict the graphical user interface (10) and system content (24) and to relay selected user indications (12) back to the one or more server (2). The one or more servers (2) can respond by formatting additional system content (24) for the respective portions of the graphical user interface (10).

Again, referring primarily to FIG. 1 , in particular embodiments, the one or more servers (2) can be used primarily as sources of system content (24), with primary responsibility for implementing the graphical user interface (10) being placed upon each of the one or more computing devices (3). As to these embodiments, each of the one or more computing devices (3) can download and run the appropriate portions of the processor readable code (9) implementing the corresponding functions attributable to the computing device (3).

The processor readable code (9) can in part include computer instructions to depict elements in the graphical user interface (10) on the display surface (11) of the computing device (3) which correspondingly allows entry of user indications (12) in the graphical user interface (10) to execute one or more functions of the processor readable code (9). The user indications (12) in the graphical user interface (10) can as illustrative examples include: selection of one or more control icon(s), entry of text into one or more Tillable fields, voice command, keyboard stroke, mouse button point and click, touch on a touch screen, or combinations thereof (individually and collectively referred to as a “user indications”).

Now, referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 22 , embodiments of the processor readable code (9) can, but need not necessarily, include a signup module (68) which upon execution depicts a signup menu (69) which by user indications (12) allows entry of user indications (12) to create a user account (70) under user indications (12) can be authenticated by the system (1) and correspondingly receive authorization to access resources provided by or connected to the system (1) and access or load the processor readable code (9). The term “menu” for the purposes of this invention means a list of options or commands presented in the graphical user interface (10) on the surface (11) of the computing device (3). A menu may be the entire graphical user interface (10), or only part of a more complex graphical user interface (10) and may include one menu image or a plurality of images in which user indications (12) can be made to activate the various functions of the processor readable code (9). The term “module” for the purposes of this invention means a component or part of the processor readable code (9) that contains one or more routines. One or more modules make up the processor readable code (9).

Again, referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 22 , embodiments of the processor readable code (9) can, but need not necessarily, include a login module (71) which upon execution depicts a login menu (72) which by user indications (12) allows log in to a user account (70). To login to a user account (70), user indications (12) authenticate with a user name (72) and a password (73) or other credentials, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, for the purposes of accounting, security, and resource management.

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 23 , in particular embodiments, the graphical user interface (10) can provide a hockey puck control menu (74) which can receive user indications (12) to control various functions of the processor readable code (9) relating to the use of the hockey puck (14). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can be activated to display a hockey puck control menu (74) on the display surface (11) of the computing device (3) allowing by user indications (12) assignment of one or more hockey pucks (14) in the system (1) to a user account (70) (depicted in FIG. 17 as “HP1, HP2, HP3 . . . HP_(n)”). In particular embodiments, user indications (12) can be by touch over or touch on one of a plurality of hockey puck identifier icons (75) in a drop down list (76) or other arrangement of the hockey puck identifier icons (75), or by entry of the hockey puck identification code (77) in a hockey puck identification field (78). Selection of a hockey puck identifier icon (75) in the system (1) by user indications (12) in the graphical user interface (10) can activate the processor readable code (9) to pair the computing device (3) with the selected hockey puck (14) for bidirectional communication in the system (1) over the network (4) or directly by utilizing one or more radio frequency bands (32), and can activate the a radio frequency transceiver (26) to transmit the functional status of the one or more hockey pucks (14) associated with the hockey puck identification codes (77) to the wired or wirelessly one way or two way communication with a computing device (3) (as indicated in the block flow diagram by block S-1 with subsequent implementation of the method(s) by S-n reference indicators).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 23 , in particular embodiments, upon selection of one or more hockey puck identification icons (75) in the system (1) by user indications (12) in the graphical user interface (10), the processor readable code (9) can allow input of user indications (12) to control various functionalities of the selected one or more hockey puck(s) (14) in the system (1). In particular embodiments, upon selection of a hockey puck (14), user indications (12) in a cool down period icon (79) can activate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to receive cool down period data (80) which can be processed by the microprocessor (25) to set a cool down period (81) for the selected hockey puck (14) in the system (1) (S-2). The cool down period (81) can be a user configured time period in which the hockey puck (14) does not record sensor data (29) from the one or more sensors (28) of hockey puck movement (15) or hockey puck shots (15 a). The cool down period (81) can minimize or avoid recording of general hockey puck movement (15), such as: general stick handling between hockey shots (15 a). In particular embodiments, the cool down period icon (79) can toggle between a time period up icon (79 a) and a time period down icon (79 b) with concurrent depiction of a cool down time period value (82). The processor readable code (9) can function to depict a default minimum cool down time period value (82 a), for example, five seconds.

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 23 , in particular embodiments, upon selection of a hockey puck (14), user indications (12) in an acceleration or velocity threshold icon (83) can activate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to receive acceleration or velocity threshold data (84) which can be processed by the microprocessor (25) to set an acceleration threshold (85) for the selected hockey puck (14) in the system (1) (S-2). The acceleration threshold (85) can be a user configured acceleration magnitude value (55) that must be exceeded during hockey puck movement (15) to validate a hockey shot (15 a). In particular embodiments, upon selection of the acceleration threshold icon (83), user indications (12) can toggle between an acceleration threshold up icon (83 a) or in an acceleration threshold down icon (83 b) with concurrent depiction of an acceleration threshold value (86). The processor readable code (9) can function to depict a default minimum acceleration threshold value (87).

Upon completion of user indications (12) to select one or a combination of the cool down period (81) and the acceleration threshold (85), the processor readable code (9) can function to activate one or more of the light emitters (16) associated with the illumination core (13) to provide a first visual indica (88) (as one example, a red illumination of the illumination core (13)) 30 indicating that the hockey puck (14) is ready to record sensor data (29) generated by one or more sensors (28) due to subsequent hockey puck movement (15), subject to a hockey puck movement (15) exceeding the acceleration threshold (85) (S-3). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can operate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to transmit a ready to record notification (89) in the graphical user interface (10).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 23 , subsequent to provision of the first visual indica (88) that the hockey puck (14) is ready to record hockey puck movement (15), a subsequent performed hockey stick handling move (90) can correspondingly generate hockey puck movement (15). The processor readable code (9) can function to record sensor data (29) generated by the one or more sensors (28) due to certain hockey puck movements (15), for example, upon exceeding the acceleration or velocity threshold (85) of the one or more sensors (S-4). Upon completion of the stick handling move (90) and when the hockey puck (14) remains motionless over a pre-selected or user configured rest time period (91), the processor readable code (9) can function to activate one or more of the light emitters (16) of the illumination core (13) to provide a second visual indica (92) (as one example, three green flashes of the illumination core (13)) indicating that the microprocessor (25) has successfully recorded the hockey puck movement (15) generated by the stick handling move (90) (also referred to as a “session”(93))(S-4). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can operate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to provide a session record notification (94) in the graphical user interface (10).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 23 , subsequent to the second visual indicia (92) indicating that the prior session (93) has been recorded, the cool down period (81) commences allowing repositioning of the hockey puck (14). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can activate the one or more light emitters (16) to emit a third visual indicia (95) during the cool down period (81) (S-5) (as one example, blue flashes of the illumination core (13) during the cool down period (81)). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can operate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to provide a cool down period notification (96) in the graphical user interface (10). After the cool down period (81), the processor readable code (9) can activate the one or more light emitters (16) to emit the first visual indicia (88) indicating the hockey puck (14) is again ready to record (S-6).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 23 , if there are no additional session(s) (93), by user indications (12) in a stop recording icon (97) depicted in the graphical user interface (10), the processor readable code (9) will function to stop recording of the sensor data (29) generated by the one or more sensors (28) in the illumination core (13) (S-7). Subsequent to user indications (12) in the graphical user interface (10) to stop recording, the processor readable code (9) can function to process the recorded session(s)(93) (S-8).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 22 through 24 , in particular embodiments, a plurality of sessions (93) for the same hockey stick handling move (90) (block S-9 as shown in the example of FIG. 17 ) can each be recorded, and upon user indications (12) in the stop recording icon (97) (S10 as shown in the example of FIG. 18 ), the processor readable code (9) can function to process each of the plurality of sessions (93) and generate hockey puck movement values (18) for one or more of: acceleration magnitude values (55), angular acceleration magnitude values (62), velocity magnitude values (65), and magnetic field values (98) (S11).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 22 and 24 , in particular embodiments, upon user indications in the stop recording icon (97) (S-12 in the example of FIG. 19 ) after recording a plurality of sessions (93), the processor readable code (9) can function to identify the hockey puck shot start (59) and the hockey puck shot end (60) in each of the plurality of sessions (93) (S-13). 20 The processor readable code (9) can then function to compare the hockey puck motion values (18) between the plurality of sessions (93). As illustrated by example shown in FIGS. 12 through 14 and 15A through 15B and 16A through 16B, the processor readable code (9) can function to compare the peaks and troughs in the acceleration or velocity magnitude values (55) correlated to the angular acceleration magnitude values (62) between the plurality of sessions (93) (S-14). In 25 the event that the hockey puck motion values (18) of any one of the plurality of sessions (93) has a correlation coefficient (99) below a pre-determined or user configured correlation coefficient threshold (100), that one of the plurality of sessions (93) can be discarded (S-15). The remaining plurality of sessions (93) can be further processed by operation of the processor readable code (9) to calculate averaged hockey puck motion values (101) over the recorded time period of hockey 30 puck movement (15) associated with the selected stick handling move (90) for each of the plurality of sessions (93) (S-16). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can depict a hockey puck movement pattern save icon (102) in the graphical user interface (10). By user indications (12) in the hockey puck movement pattern save icon (102). The averaged hockey puck motion values (101) can be saved as a hockey puck movement pattern (103) (S-17). In particular embodiments, subsequent hockey puck movement values (18) for the same hockey stick handling move (90) can be compared to the saved hockey puck movement pattern(s) (103) as tool for learning a hockey stick handling move (90).

Now, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 17 and 20 , in particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can pair the computing device (3) containing one or a plurality of hockey puck movement patterns (103) to a hockey puck (14) (S-18). By user indications (12) in a training icon (105) depicted in the graphical user interface (10), one or a plurality of hockey puck movement pattern icons (104) can be depicted in the graphical user interface (10) allowing selection by user indications (12) of one of the saved hockey puck movement patterns (103) (S-19). User indications (12) in a continuous session icon (106) can activate the hockey puck (14) to generate continuous sensor data (29) during a plurality of hockey stick handling moves (90) without a cool down period (81) between the hockey stick handling moves (90) (S-19). By user indications (12) in the acceleration magnitude threshold icon (83) the acceleration magnitude threshold (85) can be associated with the hockey puck (14). Subsequent to user indications (12) in the continuous session icon (106) and user indications in the acceleration or velocity magnitude threshold icon (83), the processor readable code (9) can activate the one or more light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) to provide the first visual indicia (88) that the hockey puck (14) is ready to record sensor data (29) (S-20). The stick handling move (90) corresponding to the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) can be repeatedly performed (S-21). The processor readable code (9) can function to continuously record and compare the hockey puck movement values (18) to the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103). The processor readable code (9) can utilize pattern recognition to identify a most likely pattern, or pattern matching to identify exact matches, or a combination thereof, between the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18) calculated based on hockey puck movement (15) during repeated performance of the stick handling move (90) (S-22). Upon meeting a pre-determined pattern recognition threshold (107) in the pattern recognition or pattern match between the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18), the processor readable code (9) can activate one or more of the light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) to provide a fourth visual indicia (108) (as one example, alternating green and blue flashes) to indicate that the pre-determined pattern recognition threshold (106) has been achieved between the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18) for the stick handling move (90) (S-23). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can operate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to provide a session recognition notification (109) in the graphical user interface (10).

Again, with primary reference to FIGS. 1, 17 and 20 , in particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can pair the computing device (3) containing one or a plurality of hockey puck movement patterns (103) to a hockey puck (14) (S-18). By user indications (12) in the training icon (105) depicted in the graphical user interface (10), one or a plurality of hockey puck motion pattern icons (104) can be depicted in the graphical user interface (10) allowing selection by user indications (12) of a previous saved hock puck movement pattern (103) (S-19). Then by user indications (12), a cool down period icon (79) can activate the hockey puck (14) to generate sensor data during each of a plurality of hockey stick handling moves (90) interrupted by a cool down period (81) between the hockey stick handling moves (90) (S-19). User indications (12) in the acceleration magnitude threshold icon (83), can set the acceleration magnitude threshold (85) (S-19). Upon user indications (12) in the cool down session icon (79) and entry of the acceleration magnitude threshold (85), the processor readable code (9) can activate the one or more light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) to provide the first visual indicia (88) that the hockey puck (14) is ready to record sensor data (29) (S-20). One hockey stick handling move (90) corresponding to the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) can then be performed (S-24). The processor readable code (9) can function to record and compare the hockey puck movement values (18) to the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) (S25). The processor readable code (9) can utilize pattern recognition to identify a most likely pattern, or pattern matching to identify exact matches, or a combination thereof, between the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18) calculated based on hockey puck movements (15) during performance of the stick handling move (90) (S-25). Upon meeting a pre-determined pattern recognition threshold (107) in the pattern recognition or pattern match between the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18), the processor readable code (9) can activate one or more of the light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) to provide a fifth visual indicia (110) (as one example, three yellow flashes) to indicate that the pre-determined pattern recognition threshold (107) was not achieved between the selected hockey puck movement pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18) (S-26) or activate one or more of the light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) to provide a sixth visual indicia (111) (for example three green alternating with three blue flashes) to indicate that the pre-determined pattern recognition threshold (107) was achieved between the selected hockey puck motion pattern (103) and the hockey puck movement values (18) (S-26). In particular embodiments, the processor readable code (9) can operate the radio frequency transceiver (26) to provide a session recognition notification (109) or session non-recognition notification (112) in the graphical user interface (10). The processor readable code (9) can further function to activate one or more of the light emitters (16) in the illumination core (13) to indicate that the hockey puck (14) is in the cool down period (81) (S-27). After elapse of the cool down period (81) the processor readable code (9) can activate one or more of the light emitters (16) to provide the first visual indicia (88) that the hockey puck is ready to repeat the hockey puck movement pattern (103).

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a hockey puck system (1) and methods for making and using such hockey puck system (1) including the best mode of the invention.

As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “sensor” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “sensing”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “sensing”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “sensor” and even a “means for sensing.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of move in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary move in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

Further, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “coupled” or derivatives thereof can mean indirectly coupled, coupled, directly coupled, connected, directly connected, or integrated with, depending upon the embodiment.

Additionally, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “integrated” when referring to two or more components means that the components (i) can be united to provide a one-piece construct, a monolithic construct, or a unified whole, or (ii) can be formed as a one-piece construct, a monolithic construct, or a unified whole. Said another way, the components can be integrally formed, meaning connected together so as to make up a single complete piece or unit, or so as to work together as a single complete piece or unit, and so as to be incapable of being easily dismantled without destroying the integrity of the piece or unit.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) the hockey puck system or hockey puck herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application, if any, provides a statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon. The elements following an open transitional phrase such as “comprising” may in the alternative be claimed with a closed transitional phrase such as “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” whether or not explicitly indicated the description portion of the specification.

Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application. 

I claim:
 1. A system, comprising: a computing device including a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code, said processor readable code executable to display a graphical user interface on a display surface of said computing device, said graphical user interface configured to receive user indications to actuate an illumination core of a hockey puck, said illumination core including: a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicatively couple to said computing device; at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in movement of said hockey puck; one or more light emitters actuatable to illuminate said illumination core; a microprocessor operable to execute said processor readable code to: convert said sensor data generated by said at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values correlated to said one or more movements of said hockey puck; compare said hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values; and actuate one or more light emitters upon occurrence of said hockey puck movement threshold values.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises one or more of: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said movement of said hockey puck comprises one or more of: acceleration, angular acceleration, velocity, rotation, inclination, trajectory and time of flight.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said radio frequency receiver, said at least one sensor, said one or more light emitters, and said microprocessor mounted to a printed circuit board contained inside of said illumination core.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a power source electrically coupled to said printed circuit board.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said illumination core comprises an elastomer which encapsulates said circuit board and said power source.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said one or more hockey puck movement threshold values associated with a hockey move selectable from a hockey move set contained in said computer readable medium.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor readable code executable to: present said set of hockey moves in said graphical user interface; receive by user indications in said graphical user interface selection of one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves; compare said hockey puck movement values to one or more hockey puck movement threshold values associated with selected one of said hockey moves; and actuate one or more light emitters upon said hockey puck movement values satisfying said one or more hockey puck movement threshold values associated with said selected one of said hockey moves.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor readable code executable to: present said set of hockey moves in said graphical user interface; receive by user indications in said graphical user interface selection of one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves; receive by user indications in said graphical user interface threshold movement values to associate with selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves; and associate said threshold movement values with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said processor readable code executable to: present a set of threshold movement values in said graphical user interface to associate with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves, said threshold movement values selectable by user indications in said graphical user interface.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein said processor readable code executable to: receive by user indications in said graphical user interface light emission indicia to associate with said selected one of said hockey moves selected from said set of hockey moves; and associate said one or more light emission indicia with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said processor readable code executable to: present a set of light emission icons in said graphical user interface to associate said light emission indicia with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves, said light emission indicators selectable by user indications in said graphical user interface, selected said light emission indicia actuated upon occurrence of said threshold movement values associated with said selected one of said hockey moves.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said light emission indicators comprises emission of light from said one or more light emitters including one or more of: an emitted light color, an emitted light pattern, and an emitted light time period.
 14. The system of claim 7, wherein said set of hockey moves includes one or more of: a first touch move, a leading move, a passing move, a hit move, a flat stick tackle, and a hockey puck shot.
 15. They system of claim 7, wherein said threshold values include one or more of: an acceleration threshold value, an angular acceleration threshold value, a velocity magnitude threshold value, and a pattern recognition threshold value.
 16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sound generator mounted to said circuit board.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said processor readable code executable to: receive by user indications in said graphical user interface sound emission indicia to associate with said selected one of said hockey moves selected from said set of hockey moves; and associate said one or more sound emission indicia with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said processor readable code executable to present a set of sound emission icons in said graphical user interface to associate said sound emission indicia with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves, said sound emission icons selectable by user indications in said graphical user interface to associate said sound emission indicia with said selected one of said hockey moves from said set of hockey moves, selected said sound emission indicia actuated upon satisfying said threshold movement values associated with said selected one of said hockey moves.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein said overcoat comprises a hockey puck-shaped over-mold.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said hockey puck-shaped over-mold comprises an elastomer layer.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein overcoat comprises a hockey puck-shaped releasably mated elastomer layer.
 22. The system of claim 19, wherein said overcoat comprises vulcanized rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer.
 23. The system of claim 1, further comprising a server accessible by said computing device through a network, said server adapted to serve said processor readable code to said computing device.
 24. A hockey puck, comprising: an illumination core, containing: a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicatively couple to a computing device; at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in one or more movements of said hockey puck; one or more processors communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing processor readable code executable to: actuate one or more light emitters to illuminate said illumination core based on said change in said one or more movements of said hockey puck; and an overcoat substantially enveloping said illumination core, said overcoat having a first flat face opposite a second flat face joined by an annular side wall, said first flat face or said second flat face of said overcoat including a plurality of apertures through which light passes from said one or more light emitters within said illumination core.
 25. A hockey puck, comprising: an illumination core including a processor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code, said processor readable code executable to: collect acceleration data generated by an accelerometer contained in said illumination core over a period of time; calculate acceleration magnitude values based on said acceleration data over said time period; calculate acceleration baseline values over said time period based on said acceleration magnitude values; correlate said acceleration baseline values with said acceleration magnitude values over said time period; and detect a hockey puck shot, wherein a hockey puck shot start occurs when said acceleration magnitude value exceeds said acceleration baseline value, and wherein a hockey puck shot end occurs when said acceleration magnitude value subsequently falls below said acceleration baseline value.
 26. The hockey puck of claim 25, wherein said processor readable code further executable to detect occurrence of an acceleration magnitude minimum subsequent to occurrence of said acceleration magnitude value falling below said acceleration baseline value, wherein said hockey puck shot end occurs at said acceleration magnitude minimum.
 27. The hockey puck of claim 26, wherein said processor readable code further executable to smooth acceleration magnitude values by applying a rolling mean.
 28. The hockey puck of claim 26, wherein said processor readable code further executable to: collect angular velocity data generated by a gyroscope contained in said illumination core over said period of time; calculate angular velocity magnitude values based on said angular velocity data over said period of time; calculate angular velocity baseline values based on said angular velocity values over said period of time; correlate the angular velocity magnitude values to said acceleration magnitude values over said time period; detect when said angular velocity magnitude values exceed said angular velocity baseline values; and correlate occurrence of said angular velocity magnitude values exceeding said angular velocity baseline values in said time period to occurrence of said acceleration magnitude values exceeding said acceleration baseline values in said time period to validate said hockey puck shot.
 29. The hockey puck of claim 28, wherein said processor readable code further executable to calculate velocity magnitude values based on integration of said acceleration magnitude values calculated over said period of time.
 30. The hockey puck of claim 29, wherein said processor readable code further executable to compare said velocity to a velocity magnitude threshold value, wherein said velocity magnitude value in excess of a velocity magnitude threshold value during said time period validates said hockey puck shot.
 31. A hockey puck, comprising: a computing device including a non-transitory computer readable medium containing a processor readable code, said processor readable code executable to display a graphical user interface on a display surface of said computing device, said graphical user interface configured to receive user indications to actuate an illumination core of a hockey puck, said illumination core including: a radio frequency transceiver configured to communicatively couple to said computing device; at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in movement of said hockey puck; one or more light emitters actuatable to illuminate said illumination core; a microprocessor operable to execute said processor readable code to: record said sensor data that varies based on change in movement of said hockey puck; convert said sensor data generated by said at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values correlated to said one or more hockey puck movements; compare said hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values; and actuate one or more light emitters upon satisfying said hockey puck movement threshold values.
 32. The hockey puck of claim 30, wherein said processor readable code executable to actuate said one or more light emitters upon actuation of said illumination core to indicate said microprocessor ready to record said sensor data that varies based on change in said hockey puck movement.
 33. The hockey puck of claim 32, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer, and wherein said sensor data comprises acceleration data and wherein said hockey puck movement value comprises acceleration magnitude values, and wherein said hockey puck movement threshold value comprises an hockey puck acceleration threshold value, wherein said processor readable code further executable to compare said acceleration magnitude values to said acceleration magnitude threshold value, wherein said acceleration magnitude value in excess of acceleration magnitude threshold value actuates said processor to execute said processor readable code to record said sensor data that varies based on change in movement of said hockey puck.
 34. The hockey puck of claim 33, wherein said processor readable code further executable to pause recording of said sensor data during elapse of a cool down period in which said hockey puck remains motionless.
 35. The hockey puck of claim 34, wherein said processor readable code executable to actuate said one or more light emitters upon elapse of said cool down period in which said hockey puck remains motionless to indicate said microprocessor recorded said sensor data preceding cool down period in which said hockey puck remains motionless.
 36. The hockey puck of claim 35, wherein duration of said cool down period in a which said puck remains motionless pre-selected by user indications in said graphical user interface.
 37. The hockey puck of claim 36, wherein said processor readable code executable to maintain said pause in said recording of said sensor data and to actuate said one or more light emitters during said cool down period.
 38. The hockey puck of claim 37, wherein said processor readable code executable to receive user indications in said computing device to stop recording of said sensor data that varies based on change in said hockey puck movement.
 39. The hockey puck of claim 38, wherein said processor readable code executable to save hockey puck movement values correlated to said one or more movements of said hockey puck as session.
 40. The hockey puck of claim 39, wherein said processor readable code executable to save a plurality of sessions of said hockey move.
 41. The hockey puck of claim 40, wherein said processor readable code executable to: superimpose said plurality of recorded sessions of said hockey move; calculate average hockey puck movement values correlated to said hockey puck movements in said plurality of sessions of said hockey move; and save said average hockey puck movement values as a hockey move pattern.
 42. The hockey puck of claim 41, wherein said processor readable code executable to: present in said graphical user interface a plurality of hockey move pattern icons correspondingly associated with a plurality of hockey move patterns; receive by user indications in said graphical user interface selection of one of said hockey move patterns; compare said hockey puck movement values associated with performance of a hockey move to selected said hockey move pattern; and actuate one or more light emitters upon said hockey puck movement values occurring during performance of said hockey move exceeds a pre-determined pattern recognition threshold value.
 43. A hockey puck, comprising: an illumination core, containing: at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in one or more movements of said hockey puck; a microprocessor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing processor readable code executable to actuate one or more light emitters to illuminate said illumination core based on said change in said one or more movements of said hockey puck; and an overcoat comprising an annular member having an annular sidewall extending to a first annular retainer ring having an inwardly directed annular lip terminating in first retainer ring periphery defining a first overcoat open area, said annular sidewall having external surface dimensions of said hockey puck, said illumination core disposed within said overcoat.
 44. The hockey puck of claim 43, further comprising a first overcoat inlay configured to mate with or have a common boundary with said first retainer ring periphery to overlay said illumination core disposed within said overcoat, said first overcoat inlay overlaying an illumination core first face to form a first flat face of said hockey puck.
 45. The hockey puck of claim 44, wherein said annular sidewall extending between said first annular retainer ring and a second annular retaining ring having an inwardly directed annular lip terminating in second retainer ring periphery defining a second overcoat open area.
 46. The hockey puck of claim 45, further comprising a second overcoat inlay configured to mate with or have a common boundary with said second retainer ring periphery to overlay said illumination core disposed within said overcoat, said second overcoat inlay overlaying an illumination core second face to forms a second flat face of said hockey puck.
 47. The hockey puck of claim 43, wherein said annular sidewall extending between said first annular retainer ring and a second flat face of said hockey puck.
 48. The hockey puck of claim 46, wherein said first overcoat inlay or said second overcoat inlay include one or more apertures through which light passes from said one or more light emitters within said illumination core.
 49. The hockey puck of claim 46, wherein said first overlay inlay or said second overcoat inlay further comprising a translucent material through which light passes from said one or more light emitters within said illumination core.
 50. The hockey puck of claim 46, further comprising a first adhesive layer or a second adhesive layer correspondingly disposed between said illumination core first face or said illumination core second face and said first overcoat inlay or said second overcoat overlay.
 51. The hockey puck of claim 50, wherein said adhesive layer comprising a translucent two-sided adhesive material.
 52. The hockey puck of claim 43, wherein said overcoat comprises an over-mold of said illumination core.
 53. The hockey puck of claim 43, wherein said overcoat comprises an elastomer layer have an overcoat internal surface defining a hollow interior space configured to receive said illumination core.
 54. A method of making a hockey puck, comprising: forming an illumination core, containing: at least one sensor which generates sensor data that varies based on change in one or more movements of said hockey puck; a microprocessor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium containing processor readable code executable to actuate one or more light emitters to illuminate said illumination core based on said change in said one or more movements of said hockey puck; and disposing said illumination core within an overcoat comprising an annular member having an annular sidewall extending to a first annular retainer ring having an inwardly directed annular lip terminating in first retainer ring periphery defining a first overcoat open area, said annular sidewall having external surface dimensions of said hockey puck. The method of claim 54, further comprising configuring a first overcoat inlay to mate with or have a common boundary with said first retainer ring periphery to overlay said illumination core disposed within said overcoat, said first overcoat inlay overlaying an illumination core first face to form a first flat face of said hockey puck.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein said annular sidewall extending between said first annular retainer ring and a second annular retaining ring having an inwardly directed annular lip terminating in second retainer ring periphery defining a second overcoat open area.
 57. The method of claim 56, further comprising configuring a second overcoat inlay to mate with or have a common boundary with said second retainer ring periphery to overlay said illumination core disposed within said overcoat, said second overcoat inlay overlaying an illumination core second face to forms a second flat face of said hockey puck.
 58. The method of claim 54, wherein said annular sidewall extending between said first annular retainer ring and a second flat face of said hockey puck.
 59. The method of claim 57, further comprising disposing one or more apertures in said first 10 overcoat inlay or said second overcoat inlay through which light passes from said one or more light emitters within said illumination core. The method of claim 57, wherein said first overlay inlay or said second overcoat inlay further comprising a translucent material through which light passes from said one or more light 15 emitters within said illumination core.
 61. The method of claim 54, further comprising disposing a first adhesive layer or a second adhesive layer between said illumination core first face or said illumination core second face and said first overcoat inlay or said second overcoat overlay.
 62. The method of claim 61, further comprising forming said first adhesive layer or said second adhesive layer from a translucent two-sided adhesive material. 